Open Doors English Language Program Welcomes Students

Open Doors English, the Julie Rudd Coulombe Language Program, is celebrating the beginning of its second year. Liz Susmann, co-director of the program, talks about her school and how it moved rapidly to remote learning at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listeners will also hear from Jose, a dairy worker from Guatemala, who talks…

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Advocates Continue Push to End College Transcript Withholding in NY

From December 2019 through March 2020, there were about 40,000 cases of transcript withholding in the SUNY system, according to Young Invincibles. (Adobe Stock) ALBANY, N.Y. — A measure to end college transcript withholding due to outstanding debt did not pass this session, but its supporters will continue advocating for those affected by the practice. Ripple effects…

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The Cherry Arts Presents the Headphone Walking Play, “Trap Door”

WRFI Community Radio News contributor Esther Racoosin speaks with Cynthia Henderson and Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon. They are the director and lead writer, respectively, of the Cherry Arts new headphone walking play, “Trap Door”. Participants will be able to contemplate and meditate on the experiences of local African American freedom fighters as they listen to the…

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2021 Virtual Spring Writes Literary Festival Presents Variety of Panels and Workshops

The 2021 Spring Writes Literary Festival, organized by the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) of Tompkins County, begins Wednesday, May 5th and continues to Sunday, May 16.  Thirteen different writing workshops will be offered to the public starting in late May, continuing into September. Artistic Director Jen Tennant and CAP Program and Grant Director Robin Schwartz…

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Cornell Engaged Grant to support opioid use research project

Each year, Cornell University awards engaged research grants to community centered projects. This year, they awarded four grants totaling 192,000 dollars to community centered projects. One of the projects that received this public service grant is working to address opioid use in the greater Ithaca community. WRFI news intern, Maia Noah reports.     

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Tompkins Food Future: Development of a Food Systems Plan in Tompkins County

Katie Hallas, the Coordinator of the Community Food System Plan, discusses Tompkins Food Future.  This project will create a local food system whereby sustainable, equitable healthy and affordable food is available for all members of our community. For more information, visit http://www.tompkinsfoodfuture.org (photo: Compost SDIM0891 by Stefan Szczelkun, courtesy of Creative Commons)  

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Board of Ed. Doesn’t Explain How They Reviewed Allegations Against Superintendent

LBrown-Allegations-ICSD-Avgar Ithaca City School District Superintendent, Dr. Luvelle Brown has been accused of professional misconduct. The allegations against Dr. Luvelle Brown come from his ex-wife, Anjanette Brown. She has accused him of abusing his power as Superintendent to benefit himself in a custody battle over their children  The Board of Education Board said they have…

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